Christians - how can you discover your personal job / function within the church?

Question

I guess I'm thinking along the lines of 1 Corinthians 12 - About us all having different gifts to use to work together as the body of Christ.

What's your experience, or the experience of ppl you know?

I think that quite often it can be a matter of doing whatever's needed at the time, but I also recognise that different ppl have different personalities and giftings.

charles b - that's a good, thorough test you recommended. I'd forgotton that they existed, although I've done at least one in the past. Nice one!

Josh - some great points there which are making me think. I'm pretty certain that serving is one of the main things I should be doing, and I don't think that's a bad thing at all, however, yeah - it's dead easy to serve ppl or an organisation rather than serve God, and I think that's something I've been guilty of recently. Spot on!

Answer 1

First, forget about what your "gift" is. That is surely a distorted way of looking at things wrenched from context by men and organisations.

It can also be harmful since it focusses on self rather than God.

It might be perhaps healthier at least to regard people as gifts rather than some special talent. That we have different roles and functions - let God decide that and let Him bring that out.

Do as Paul did - long to know God and to know God more. Philippians 3/7-15. Do read this passage. Then all those worries will fall away, as they should.

It is far, far more important to know God's will and to do it than to "Know what your gift is," even if that were possible.

Is it not vital to love and serve God and to hold fast to the Head, Colossians 2/19, and not be tricked into doing service in the church, which generally results in doing men's will and serving men's ideas rather than God.

Remember to be clear on a vital distinction - The church ought to be the universal organic body of God's people, inhabited by God, but men will try to persuade you that it is their local organisation.

Organisations are always looking out for people to serve them.

If you listen to them you will likely serve men and your local church only, but if you listen to God, then you will be serving Him and through Him, His people, as He desires. It is a vital distinction easily obscured. At least start with the right perspective.

Stephen, the first martyr, served tables. Was that his "gift"?
No, of course not. Yet his being full of God and his faithfulness even to death led to the conversion of Saul, later Paul.

Take your time and wait on God. Fare you well in this area, made tricky and controversial.

Answer 2

Did you find God or did God find you?

Think about the parable of the sower in the context to this great question. You are trying to be the soil in furtile ground.

Please understand that a plant has to grow up before it is ready to bear fruit. And bearing fruit it the first time a plant is able to exert energy to something that doesn't cause it to grow. So are you asking so you can grow more?....then you aren't mature enough.

If you can sustain yourself spiritually as a plant can, then you can "flower" as you were created to do. But how can you produce an abundant harvest if you haven't matured enough to sustain yourself???

So what will your ministry be? All those tests everyone will talk about will be general and paint with a broad brush. My suggestion is to look for the opportunities God is providing you now.

Example: David had the opportunity to play the harp. As a result of David's faithfulness with that little thing, God gave him the opportunity to be the king's harp player. Because David was such a faithful harp player, Saul asked David to be his shield bearer.

With these two opportunities, David got to see the interworkings of how to run a government and army. He got to see what people said to the king's face and behind his back. As so, David was trained by God to be the great king he was.

Since most career paths to being a great king doesn't including shepherding, harp playing, and shield bearing, I would ask you to consider the road less traveled....the one of faith. When you learn to follow God's voice, you will have a ministry.

Answer 3

You position in the church has nothing to do with gifts. It has everything do do with commitment. My recommendation to anyone is that you take whatever position that you are offered by the pastor and you do the job to the very best of your ability, and if that isn't good enough, then ask for help from God. AS committed person will always rise to their potential in the church. Pastors are always looking for people that are committed and can excel at the responsibility they are handed. Let God do the work here. Do not be anxious to jump ahead and tackle something that you cannot handle. God knows what your position is supposed to be and he will get you there in HIS time. If you get yourself out of position with god, then you will hinder your progress. Nobody starts at the top----we all start at the bottom. How fast we rise depends on our willingness to be patient and wait on the Lord. Service in the church is not position oriented, but servant oriented---the most blessed person in the church may be the little old lady who sweeps up the sanctuary after Sunday service. The most unholiest person in that same church could be the pastor. Position means nothing with God---commitment means everything.

Answer 4

First, you have to abide in Christ as an on-going attitude of spirit. You believe that he dwells in you, and even though your mind might be busy with things, your heart is always tuned in to his lovely presence. You meditate on him and the Word of God, and prayerfully await directions whilst being obedient to all that you know he desires of you. Empty yourself of self, and your own empty works, love the brethren and the unlovely, give the throne of your heart to Christ.

"There are three things which must focus in one point before we can be sure of the will of God: The prompting of the Spirit within; the teaching of the Word without; and the concurrence of Providence around - in the events of daily life. We should never take a step unless these three concur. If they do not so concur, we may be sure that God's hour is not yet come, and we must stand still and see His salvation."

Answer 5

I'm not a christian now, I did used to be however, and I gave alot to the church during that time, but the God called me to another way of life, not to sin, but to serve within a different path.

so I think, that for any religion, you are called to be or do whatever God wants you to do, by a strong feeling in your heart mind and soul.

Answer 6

A lot of churches do a spiritual gift analysis or inventory. There are several on line. It's a survey to help you determine what your gifts are and what practical ways you can use them. You also need to be mindful about your passions (ie... music, theatre, sports) most churches want you to be passionate about where you serve.

Answer 7

your gifting within the church or rather the fellowship canbe anything - the gift of being able to minister, the gift to be able to be the best cleaner/housewife/cook, the gifting to make people laugh/ or being gifted with wisdom -

with different gifts being given to us by God, that way when in fellowship with other christians etc it can fit like a puzzle - working within a team where each of us have a gift and a strength,

my gift is my humour, and interior design in the flesh, but my God given gift was wisdom in the spirit

does that all make sense -

Answer 8

A lot of times you're gifting can be discovered by what do you want to do. For instance if you get is helps. Are you always want to do something that would help someone. If it's comfort, are you always wanting to give a good word to someone get the idea. A lot of times is just what do you desire. That's a good start, anyway

Answer 9

the best way to discover your gift is by being obedient to the word and asking for the gift God has bestowed upon you. some churches just do what ever they like i.e hypocrisy and stuff like that but remember, God is watching us and he who sees in secret will surely reward you openly!

Answer 10

Sometimes i think we analise to much...listen to your heart, that's usually where you hear God speak...if there's joy in your heart go for it...serving is supposed to be a pleasure, not a chore...
Be happy and blessed~~Shalom~~